Wyoming News Briefs

Unemployment rate in Campbell County and state remains steady

GILLETTE (WNE) — Campbell County’s unemployment rate remained unchanged from August to September, staying at 3.3%, which is in line with the state average.

It’s the seventh highest unemployment rate in the state.

The local labor force increased by more than 300, growing to 21,897 people, and the number of employed people increased by nearly 350 to 21,180.

Campbell County’s 3.3% mark is a big improvement over last September’s mark of 4.2%. It was the second largest year-over-year decrease in the state, behind only Natrona County.

The Research & Planning section of the Wyoming Department of Workforce Services reported today that the state’s seasonally adjusted unemployment rate rose from 3.1% in August to 3.3% in September.

Wyoming’s unemployment rate has stayed in the narrow range of 3% to 3.4% in each of the past seven months and is slightly lower than the current U.S. rate of 3.5%. From September 2021 to September 2022, Wyoming’s unemployment rate fell from 4.2% to 3.3%.

In September, the lowest unemployment rates were found in Teton County at 1.9% and Weston County at 2.2%. The highest rates were reported in Sweetwater County at 3.8%, Natrona County at 3.7%, and Uinta County at 3.5%.

Total non-farm employment in Wyoming, which is not seasonally adjusted and is measured by place of work, rose from 283,800 in September 2021 to 291,500 in September 2022, an increase of 7,700 jobs, or 2.7%.

Powell man faces felony charges in district court

POWELL (WNE) —A Powell resident faces felony charges of strangulation of a household member and third or subsequent offense for domestic battery.

Jose Marcos Cuellar was arrested for allegedly assaulting his then girlfriend on North Bernard Street on Sept. 18, according to the affidavit written by Powell police officer Tye Reece McLain.

According to the affidavit, the Powell Police Department was contacted by Cuellar’s former girlfriend. Cuellar could not immediately be found, but was later found hiding behind a fence and a garage.

The woman was transported to Powell Valley Hospital, where she later told McLain she had been hit at least three times in the face with a closed fist. She had a split lip and markings on her throat.

McLain discovered after arresting Cuellar that he had convicted of domestic battery in 2019 and 2020.

Strangulation of a household member can carry up to 10 years in prison, up to a $10,000 fine or both. A third or subsequent offense for domestic battery also carries up to 10 years in prison, a $10,000 fine or both.

Cuellar is currently being held on a $25,000 cash only bond.

If he is released, his conditions prevent him from having any contact with the victim or visiting her residence.

An arraignment for Cuellar is currently scheduled for November 15.

Campbell County man bound over on kidnapping charges

GILLETTE (WNE) — A man accused of hitting and dragging his girlfriend and keeping her inside their home for several days waived his preliminary hearing Oct. 6 and was bound over to District Court.

Jason John Black, 48, was bound over on two counts of felony kidnapping, two misdemeanor counts of domestic battery and destruction of property related to the alleged kidnapping in May.

He was also bound over on felony meth possession stemming from his Aug. 31 arrest in Rozet, where he was found with 8 grams of meth when arrested on a warrant.

While arguing with his girlfriend May 15 about her not returning home the night before, Black allegedly grabbed her mouth and neck from behind while she was in the driveway trying to leave and dragged her back inside the house, according to an affidavit of probable cause filed in the case.

Black then allegedly locked the doors, tackled her and smashed her phone and watch so that she could not call anyone.

When she tried leaving their home later that day, she again made it to the driveway and was grabbed and dragged back into the house, at which point Black threatened to kill her if she tried leaving again, according to court documents.

She was able to leave the house five days later on May 20 after Black had left the home. She had two black eyes and multiple other bruises.

A warrant was issued for Black’s arrest and he was contacted by law enforcement last month in Rozet.

Sheriff’s deputies arrested Black on Aug. 31 in Rozet after receiving information that he was working at a business there and living on-site.

Felony charges recommended for two men in connection to Greys River assault

JACKSON (WNE) — The Lincoln County Sheriff’s Office has recommended that felony charges be levied against two men in connection with an alleged physical assault on a Jackson man.

Affidavits supporting the two charges of aggravated assault and robbery were sent to the Lincoln County Prosecutor’s office for Shea Patrice Sanchez, 30 of Green River, Wyo. and Jared Michael Olguin, 35 of Elizabeth, Colo.

The sheriff’s office reported the Jackson man was badly beaten outside Alpine by hunters who believed he stole their elk carcass. Sheriff Shane Johnson said the incident occurred on Oct.15.

The sheriff office said in a press release that it concluded its investigation into the incident that happened last Saturday in the vicinity of Shale Creek, up the Greys River corridor outside Alpine in the Bridger-Teton National Forest.

The incident left a Jackson man severely injured, the man’s father said in an interview with the News&Guide this week. 

“Both sides of his jaw are broken; multiple teeth are misplaced,” the man’s father said on Wednesday. “He hasn’t been able to drink or swallow until [Monday].”

The injured man was released from St. John’s on Monday and transported to Billings, Montana for further treatment.

A friend who was with the man was also beaten but not as badly. Investigators reported that they were able to identify the suspects through descriptions provided by the victims and by searching the area of the reported incident.

The prosecutor’s office will determine whether those recommended charges should be filed. Warrants for arrests would be issued pending the prosecutor’s determination.

Authorities await DNA results on floating foot

CASPER (WNE) — The investigation into a foot found floating in a Yellowstone National Park thermal pool is waiting on DNA confirmation of the person’s identity, park and local officials said this week. 

In mid-August, a worker found part of a person’s foot inside a shoe floating in Abyss Pool, one of the park’s deepest thermal features. 

A few days later, park officials said they suspected the foot was linked to an incident that occurred at Abyss Pool involving one person on July 31. Officials did not explain what that incident entailed, but did say there was no indication of foul play. 

The park has not released additional information about the event since then. 

In an email to the Star-Tribune, a park spokeswoman said more information would be released after law enforcement makes a final identification of the person from July 31. 

Teton County Coroner Brent Blue said his office was waiting on DNA confirmation of the person’s identity. That information will come from the state’s crime lab, which is in Cheyenne. 

Blue said he anticipated that information possibly arriving in the next couple of weeks. 

A Maryland man told the Associated Press that he and his family spotted the shot floating in the hot spring on the morning of Aug. 11. He reported that information to park officials after news of the foot became public about a week later. 

Abyss Pool is located in the southern part of the park. It has a temperature of 140 degrees and a depth of 50 feet. 

People have been seriously injured or killed in the park’s pools and thermal features before. 

Governor celebrates Wyoming’s first veteran-focused skilled nursing facility

SHERIDAN (WNE) — Gov. Mark Gordon celebrated the newly constructed Veterans Home of Wyoming with a ribbon-cutting ceremony Thursday.

The first skilled nursing facility dedicated to veterans in Wyoming will provide long-term care to veterans, their spouses and Gold Star families.

“Our veterans are an integral part of Wyoming’s rich heritage, and it is an honor to celebrate the completion of the first veterans skilled nursing facility in Wyoming,” said Gordon. “Veterans and their families embody the spirit of Wyoming through their courageous and selfless actions to protect the liberties we hold dear. This beautiful facility reflects the honor and dignity owed to those who sacrificed so much to protect our way of life.”

Based on the Green House concept, the state-of-the-art facility includes three cottages, each accommodating 12 veterans, providing a higher level of care to 36 veterans and eligible family members. 

The Green House concept differs from a traditional nursing home in terms of facility size, interior design, organizational structure, staffing patterns and methods of delivering skilled professional services.

It is designed to look and feel like a real home. Each cottage offers a private bedroom and bathroom for the residents, along with a common space that includes a living area, an open kitchen and a dining table.

The Veterans Home of Wyoming — owned and operated by the state — is the result of a partnership between the Wyoming Veterans’ Commission, State of Wyoming and U.S. Department of Veteran Affairs. 

The VA provided 65% of the funding, and the Wyoming Legislature provided the 35% matching portion. 

By leveraging both VA and Medicaid reimbursements, the state can offer lower-cost private pay rates to veterans who may reside at the facility.